Greater New Orleans

Fun happenings for kids in New Orleans: May 28, 2010

JENNIFER ZDON / THE TIMES-PICAYUNEAtticus Strincklin, 3, carefully touches the tooth of a dinosaur as he and his family walk by the many dinosaurs being placed in a temporary exhibit at the zoo. As part of the Audubon Dinosaur Experience, over a dozen dinosaurs arrive at the Audubon Zoo Sunday, March 1, 2009 where officials spent the day placing them in their exhibit for the upcoming opening on March 14th.

Join in the feeding frenzy

Visiting the zoo or aquarium is always fun, but catching the creatures in action adds that extra bit of excitement.

The Audubon Nature Institute will continue showcasing its animals through popular feeding shows this summer at the Audubon Zoo and the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. The shows offer audiences of all ages the opportunity to see exotic animals enjoying snacks, while learning more about the animals from the staff. Feeding times can vary, but here are your best bets for dropping in during a meal.

Audubon Zoo

On Tuesdays, watch the otter snack show at 11 a.m., the gorilla feed at 1:30 p.m. and then finish the day watching the sea lion feed at 3:30 p.m.

On Wednesdays, the otter snack show begins at 11 a.m., and the tiger rat snake feeding is at 11:45 a.m.

On Thursdays, check out the otter snack show at 11 a.m., and the false gharial (a freshwater reptile resembling an alligator with a longer, thinner snout) feeding at 11:45 a.m.

Watch the otter snack show on Fridays at 11 a.m., and then see the pine snake feeding at 11:45 a.m.

On Saturday and Sunday, watch the otter snack show, which begins at 11 a.m., the Komodo feed (Saturday only) or the false gharial feeding (Sunday only) at 11:45 a.m., the spider monkey feeding at 2 p.m., and finally the pelican feeding at 3:15 p.m.

Aquarium of the Americas

Penguin and sea otter feedings occur daily at the aquarium. See the penguins get a snack at 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., or see the sea otters at 2 p.m.

All times are weather-dependent and are subject to change. Tickets for the zoo are $13.50 for adults and $8.50 for children 2 to 12. Tickets for the aquarium are $18.50 for adults and $11.50 for children 2 to 12. For more information, go to www.auduboninstitute.org or call 504.581.4629.